Modular planting system for roof applications

ABSTRACT

A modular planting system for roof applications includes a plurality of green roof planter modules each comprising a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extend above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,168 filed on Jan. 15, 2007 and entitled MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular planting system for roof applications, and in particular to a modular planting system that includes a plurality of planter modules each including a planter and a biodegradable insert member extending upwardly from an uppermost portion of the planter, thereby allowing plant matter to extend above the upper edge of the associated planter and the insert member to degrade once the planter module is placed adjacent to a plurality of other planter modules, thereby creating a green-roof system.

Green-roof systems are used in a wide variety of applications, including commercial and residential buildings. The positive thermal properties of the systems result in significant cost savings with respect to cooling of the associated buildings and structures. Further, the systems dramatically reduce the amount of water runoff caused by rainfall, which is particularly critical in urban areas. The systems typically include a soil or aggregate matter supporting plants therein, and barrier layers for protecting the underlying roof and for providing the necessary water barriers and drainage for the associated plants. These methods may include the application of seed-including soils to the selected roof area. However, this method typically requires a significant amount of time until the plants provide adequate coverage. Other methods that have been employed include the use of modular systems, thereby reducing the grow-time required in order to provide adequate coverage by allowing plants to at least partially mature prior to being utilized within a green roof system. However, these systems employ normal planter boxes wherein the plant matter rests below an uppermost edge of the associated planter or container. Such methods, while a vast improvement over previous methods, typically result in several months to years of grow time while the individual sections grow and subsequently fuse together to provide adequate roof coverage. Another problem typically associated with past methods is the inadequacy of water supply, drainage and transport of water and nutrients between the associated sections.

A planted roof system is desired that provides adequate roof coverage quickly and economically, while simultaneously being easy to install at a relative low cost. Further, the system should provide improved water communication between the modules that comprise the overall system, and allow easy maintenance thereof

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for installing a modular green roof system that comprises providing a planter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, providing a removable collar member having a bottom edge and a top edge, and inserting the removable collar into the interior space of the planter such the removable collar extends upwardly from at least a select one of the plurality of sidewalls. The method further comprises placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the planter such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls, positioning the planter proximate to at least one other planter, and removing the collar member from within the interior space of the planter such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the at least one other planter.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roof planter module that comprises a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extend above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for installing a modular green roof system that comprises providing a planter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom edge to form an interior space, providing a biodegradable insert that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom wall of the insert to form an interior space, and inserting the insert into the interior space of the planter such that the upper edge of the sidewalls of the insert extend upwardly from the upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter. The method further includes placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the insert such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls, positioning the planter proximate to at least one other planter, and allowing the insert to degrade from within the interior space of the planter such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the at least one other planter.

The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entire roof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules to be planted and/or grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extend upwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacent modules to abut immediately upon installation. Further, the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, the system provides improved water communication and drainage between adjacent modules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installed easily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable of a long-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building employing a green roof system embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a green roof planter module that includes a collar member removably inserted into an associated planter;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the planter module;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module including a cut-away portion of the collar member inserted into the planter;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module;

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional end view of a first alternative embodiment of the planter module;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the planter;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment of the planer module;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the planter module including a planter and a supporting drainage member;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the drainage member;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the planter module; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fourth alternative embodiment of the planter module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 2 and 8. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The reference numeral 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a green roof system embodying the present invention and employed on a building roof 12 and comprising a plurality of individual green roof planter modules 14. In the illustrated example, each of the planter modules 14 (FIGS. 2 and 3) comprises a planter 16 and an insert 18, such as a removable collar inserted into the planter 16 such that the collar 18 extends upwardly from an uppermost edge of the planter 16, thereby allowing the retention of plant matter that extends above an upper edge of the planter 16.

Each planter 16 includes a bottom wall 20, a plurality of walls that include sidewalls 22 and end walls 24 that cooperate with the bottom wall 20 to form an interior space 26, and a plurality of support tabs 28 (FIGS. 4 and 5) spaced about the interior space 26 and that extend inwardly toward the interior space 26. Each of the sidewalls and end walls include a top edge 25. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the support tabs 28 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 20 and is spaced from an associated sidewall 22 or end wall 24. The planter 16 is preferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and is constructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example, the planter 16 is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall plan form, however, other configurations may also be utilized. Further, it is noted that the tabs 28 are configured to abut the bottom surface of the bottom wall 20 of another planter 16 when multiple planters are placed in a stacked relationship. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls 22 and one of the end walls 24 each include an outwardly-extending overlap tab 29 that overlaps a respective sidewall or end wall of an adjacent planter 16.

The collar member 18 includes a plurality of walls 30 each having a bottom edge 32 and a top edge 34. In the illustrated example, the collar member 18 comprises two pieces that extend in a rectangular manner about the planter 16. Specifically, the collar member 18 extends about the interior space 26 of the associated planter 16 such that the bottom edge 32 of each of the walls 30 is inserted between the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16 and the associated support tabs 28, thereby retaining the collar member 18 within the interior space 26 of the planter 16, and such that the walls 30 of the collar member 18 extend upwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16. Although locking tabs are illustrated between each of the pieces of the collar, overlapping, non-tabbed ends may also be utilized.

In operation, the collar member 18 is inserted into the interior space 26 of planter 16, in a manner described above, and a plant matter that comprises grown plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate is also inserted into the interior space 26 of the planter 16. Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space 26 until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16. The planter module 14 is then placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12 (FIG. 1) and the collar member 18 removed such that the plant matter within the interior space 26 of the planter 16 abuts similar plant matter in adjacent planter modules 14, thereby providing a connected roof system that will quickly provide an interconnected and aesthetically-pleasing planted surface. Alternatively, the collar member 18 comprises a biodegradable material that may be left within the planter 16 placed within the overall grid work of the green roof system 10. It is also noted that the walls 30 of the collar member 18 angles outwardly from the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16, thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter extending above the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 between adjacent planter modules 14.

The proper communication of water between adjacent planters 16 is provided by various elements within the planter 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 20 of the planter 16 comprises a grid work-like pattern of recesses 36 segmented by raised portions 38. A plurality of drainage apertures 40 extend through the recesses 36 and the raised portions 38. It is noted that at least a portion of each of the drainage apertures 40 extend through a lowermost portion of the bottom wall 20, thereby eliminating standing water within the planter 16. Each of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16 also include arcuately-shaped recesses or apertures 42 extending therethrough that align with similar apertures of adjacent planters when positioned within the overall gridwork. As illustrated, each of the apertures extends downwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24, a distance that is greater than half of the distance between the top edge 25 and a point at which the bottom wall 20 intersects the sidewalls and/or end wall 22, 24, thereby providing adequate water communication between adjacent planters 16 and further allowing for the migration of plant matter therebetween.

The reference numeral 14 a (FIG. 5B) generally designates another embodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the planter module 14 a is similar to the previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 5, respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14 a, the top edge 25 a of each of the sidewalls 22 a and end walls 24 a include an upwardly-opening channel 33 defining a pocket 35 within which the bottom edge 32 a of the collar member 18 a is inserted.

The planter 16 (FIG. 6) further includes a pair of gripping reliefs 44 located at each end thereof Specifically, each relief 44 is provided within the intersection of an associated end wall 24 and the bottom wall 20 such that a user is able to insert their fingers into the reliefs 44, thereby allowing easy gripping and support of the planter module 14.

The reference numeral 14 b (FIG. 7) generally designates another embodiment of the present inventive planter module 14. Since the planter module 14 b is similar to the previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 7, respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “b” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14 b, the intersecting corner 46 between the sidewalls 22 b and the end walls (not shown) are provided with an aperture 48 extending therethrough, while corresponding corners of the collar member 18 b are provided with an aperture or recess 50. The alternative embodiment planter module 14 b further includes a retainer member that extends about the exterior of the sidewalls and end wall 22 b, 24 b of the planter 16 b and extends into the aperture 48 of the planter 16 b and the apertures 50 of the collar member 18 b, thereby retaining the collar member 18 b to the outside of the planter 16 b. It is preferred that the retainer member 52 comprises an elastically-deformable material, such as an elastic cord or rubber band. The retainer member 52 assists in retaining the collar member 18 b about the planter 16 b, but allows easy removal of the retaining member 52 and the collar member 18 b from about the planter 16 b.

The reference numeral 14 c (FIG. 8) generally designates another embodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the planter module 14 c is similar to the previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “c” in the numerals of the latter. The planter module 14 c includes a planter 16 c, a collar member 18 c, and a drainage member 54 supporting the planter 16 c. The planter 16 c and collar member 18 c are similar to the previously-described planter 16 and collar member 18, the most notable exception being that the bottom wall 20 c of the planter 16 c is substantially flat with a plurality of drainage holes or apertures 56 extending therethrough. The drainage member 54 is provided substantially the same plan form shape as the planter 16 c and includes a top wall 58, a bottom wall 60, and a plurality of sidewalls 62. As illustrated, the planter 16 c includes a plurality of downwardly-extending pegs 63 that are embedded into the drainage member 54. As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the top wall 58 includes an inwardly-extending grid work of passages or recesses 64. These passages extend between and through the sidewalls 62 of the drainage member 54. In assembly, the bottom wall 20 c of the planter 16 c is supported on the top wall 58 of the drainage member 54 such that the drainage apertures 56 of the planter 16 c aligns with the recesses 64 of the drainage member 64, thereby allowing water communication therebetween. Further, the recesses 64 of the drainage member 54 are arranged so as to align the recesses 64 of adjacent drainage members 54 within the overall grid work of planter modules 14 c when placed upon the roof 12 of the associated building, thereby allowing proper fluid communication between all adjacent planter modules 14 c. Preferably, the drainage member 54 is comprised of a deformable foam material that allows the bottom wall 60 to be easily deformed when placed upon an uneven roof surface thereby eliminating the need for blocking or altering any of the planters 16 c. The foam material also provides insulative properties between the planters 16 c and associated roof 12.

The reference numeral 14 d (FIGS. 10 and 11) generally designates another alternative embodiment of the green roof planter modules. Since the planter module 14 d is similar to the previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 2-4 and FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively, are represented by the same corresponding reference numerals, except for the suffix “d” in the numerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, the planter module 14 d comprises a planter 16 d and a biodegradable insert 18 d inserted into the planter 16 d such that the insert 18 d extends upwardly from an uppermost edge of the planter 16 d, thereby allowing the retention of plant matter that extends above an upper edge of the planter 16.

Each planter 16 d includes a bottom wall 20 d, a plurality of walls that include sidewalls 22 d, and end walls 24 d that cooperate with the bottom wall 20 d to form an interior space 26 d. Each of the sidewalls 22 d and end walls 24 d include a top edge 25 d. The planter 16 d is preferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and is constructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example, the planter 16 d is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall plan form, however, other configurations may also be utilized. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls 22 d and one of the end walls 24 d each include an outwardly-extending overlap tab 29 d that overlaps a respective sidewall or end wall of an adjacent planter 16 d.

The insert 18 d includes a plurality of sidewalls 30 d each having a bottom edge 32 d and a top edge 34 d, and a bottom wall 35 d extending between and cooperating with the sidewalls 30 d to form an interior space 37 d. In the illustrated example, the insert 18 d is sized so as to be received within the planter 16 d and is shaped similarly to the planter 16 d. Preferably, the insert 18 d comprises a biodegradable material, such as cellulose, biodegradable plastic, a wood product such as coconut fiber or bamboo fiber, cardboard, and/or paper. Further, the base material of which the insert 18 d is constructed may be coated with a material that retards biodegradation, such as paraffin. The coating may also be applied selectively, thereby allowing select portions of the insert 18 d to degrade more quickly than others.

In operation, the insert 18 d is inserted into the interior space 26 d of planter 16 d, such that the sidewalls 30 d and bottom wall 35 d of the insert 18 d abut the sidewalls 22 d and bottom wall 20 d of the planter 16 d, respectively. A plant matter that comprises grown plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate is then inserted into the interior space 37 d of the planter insert 18 d. Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space 18 d until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge 25 d of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d of the planter 16 d. The planter module 14 d is then placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12 (FIG. 1). The insert 18 d then biodegrades such that the plant matter within the interior space 26 d of the planter 16 d abuts similar plant matter in adjacent planter modules 14 d, thereby providing a connected roof system that will quickly provide an interconnected and aesthetically-pleasing planted surface. It is also noted that the walls 30 d of the insert 18 d angles outwardly from the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d of the planter 16 d, thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter extending above the top edge 25 d of the sidewalls and end walls 22 d, 24 d between adjacent planter modules 14 d.

The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entire roof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules to be grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extend upwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacent modules to abut more quickly subsequent to installation. Further, the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, the system provides improved water communication and drainage between adjacent modules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installed easily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable of a long-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts as disclosed herein, such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for installing a modular green roof system, comprising; providing a planter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space; providing a biodegradable insert that includes a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate to form an interior space of the insert; inserting the insert into the interior space of the planter such that the upper edge of the sidewalls of the insert extend upwardly from the upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter; placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the insert such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls of the planter; positioning the planter proximate to at least one other planter such that the planter and the at least one other planter at least partially overlap one another; and allowing the insert to degrade from within the interior space of the planter such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the at least one other planter, wherein the step of providing the biodegradable insert includes providing the biodegradable insert with a bottom wall that cooperates with the plurality of sidewalls of the biodegradable insert to form the interior space of the insert.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the planter includes providing the planter as comprising a molded plastic.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the planter includes providing the bottom wall of the planter with at least one drainage aperture located therein, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one drainage aperture is located within a lower most portion of the bottom wall of the planter.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the planter includes providing at least one of the sidewalls of the planter with an outwardly-extending tab, and wherein the step of positioning the planter includes overlapping the outwardly extending tab with a sidewall of an adjacent planter.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the insert includes providing the insert as comprising at least a select one of a group including wood, cellulose, biodegradable plastic and paper.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the insert includes providing the insert at least partially coated with a material that retards biodegradation.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the material the retards biodegradation comprises a paraffin. 